AIPPA provisions Section 9 Contents of response: i. The head of the entity is responsible for responses to information requests. ii. Responses to information requests are in writing and in English Section 14 Protection of government deliberations: i. Section 14(1) (2) provides a blanket exception to information relating to deliberations of Cabinet, including draft legislation being prepared for submission to or submitted to Cabinet. ii. Section 14 (3) states that information exempted under Section 14 (1)(2) may be declassified after 25 years. iii. Section 15(1) Protection of information relating to policy advice Issue FOI Bill proposed provisions Written responses in English do not i. Section 8 of the Bill allows cater for those with responses to be in a language of disabilities/handicapped and the applicant’s choice but the illiterate. There is need to ensure applicant has to cover the costs of that the written response is in a translating the information from language that one understands, English to another officially including where possible use of Sign recognised Zimbabwean language. language etc. ii. Section 8(3) speaks about the form a response will take but the section is not explicit about verbal responses being given in addition to the written responses to requests for information. i. No issues arise from Section i. Section 6(a) of the Bill protects 14(1) – (3) save for the deliberations and functions of prohibition against accessing Cabinet and its committees. draft legislation. ii. There is no provision for ii. A blanket restriction of declassification of information information relating to policy that relates to deliberations and advice is unwarranted and may functions of Cabinet and its be abused to exempt the committees. release of information that may actually be in the public interest. Recommendations It is recommended that verbal responses be given if requested in addition to a written response to the request for information. ii. The verbal response must be in a local language that the applicant can understand. i. i. There is need to reintroduce the time period beyond which records and information relating to deliberations and functions of Cabinet and its committees may be declassified and shared. ii. This means revisiting other laws such as the Official Secrets Act. 4